Coin-operated timing mechanisms



Feb. 23, 1965 R. w. NEW

COIN-OPERATED TIMING MECHANISMS '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1961 RuJJ e W A/e W INVENTOR. BY W 14 T I ORA/E VJ Feb. 23, 1965 R. w. NEW

com-opm'rso mum: uscwwxsus 3 Sheets-Sheet '2 Filed Aug- 14, 1961 \FUJJE/ 14 New INVENTOR. 50; 2% I Feb. 23, 1965 R, w, NEW 3,170,555

' COIN-OPERATED TIMING MECHANISMS 'Fi'led Aug. 114, 1961 s sheets -sheet s United States Patent 3,170,555 COIN-OPERATED TIMHNG MECHANISMS Russel W. New, Dallas, Tex, assignor to Meter-All Mfg. Co., Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Aug. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 131,301 14 Claims. (Cl. 194-9) This invention relates to coin-operated mechanisms for use in connection with the starting and stopping of a machine, particularly a clothes washer, a washer-extractor, a dry cleaning machine and the like, such as those used in coin-operated laundries. In one of its aspects, it relates to a coin accumulator which is designed to initiate a timed cycle responsive to the deposit of a predetermined number of coins.

Devices which initiate a timed cycle of operation responsive to the deposit of one or more coins are in widespread use, particularly in coin-operated laundries. Generally, these devices can be divided into two categories. In the first, after a coin is deposited, the customer must turn a knob or pull a lever in order to actuate the device. Such an arrangement is not the most desirable because of the human factor involved which frequently results in damage to the device. In the second category are those devices in which the customer must merely deposit a coin and the operation of the device thereafter is completely automatic. While various devices of this type have been devised, many of them have been rather complicated and expensive to manufacture. Others have not been foolproof in operation. Moreover, in many instances, it will be necessary for the customer to deposit a number of coins in order to accumulate the proper amount of money charged for using the machine. In such type of device, it is desirable that some means be provided for adjusting the number of coins required to initiate the time cycle. Desirably, such adjustment should be of a simple nature so that it can be performed in the field by relatively unskilled help. Additionally, the device should be as simple and as flexible as possible so that not only can it be mass produced at a low cost, but it can be used in a large number of applications having different requirements.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a simple, relatively inexpensive coin accumulator which will initiate a time cycle responsive to the deposit of a predetermined number of coins.

Another object is to provide such an accumulator in which the number of coins which must be deposited to initiate the time cycle can be readily adjusted through a rather broad range. This permits the operator to run week-end specials at reduced rates without any substantial difiiculty and also permits the use of a single type of accumulator with various machines having different charge rates.

Another object is to provide a timer assembly in which the time cycle is initiated responsive to the deposit of a predetermined number of. coins and in which the coin accumulator is automatically reset during such time cycle without interrupting the operation of the controlled machine.

Another object is to provide such a system in which a coin accumulator operates in conjunction with the time cycle controller forming a part of the controlled machine whereby a special timer need not be provided.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the written specification, the attached claims and the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a coin accumulator embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 except that it shows 3,176,555 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 the positioning of the parts immediately after a coin has been deposited and just before the ratchet has been stepped;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 except that it shows the ratchet stepping and holding mechanism retracted to permit the ratchet to be returned to its initial position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the mechanism of FIGS. l-3 to better illustrate its arrangement; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred mode for wiring the coin accumulator into a circuit for controlling a machine.

Like characters of reference will be used throughout the several views to designate like parts.

Referring now to the drawings the coin, accumulator will be described first, followed by a description of the system in which it can be employed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the accumulator includes a frame 10 having a switch 11 mounted thereon. The function of the switch is to initiate the time cycle of a machine upon closing of the switch. It preferably has normally open and normally closed contacts for a purpose which will be described in greater detail below.

Also mounted on the frame is a ratchet 12, here shown in the form of a ratchet wheel having a plurality of ratchet teeth 13 about a part of its periphery. The ratchet wheel can be mounted on a shaft 14 fixed to the frame and is held in place on a shoulder on the shaft by a coiled spring 15 disposed in a groove in the shaft. One end of the coiled spring is fixed, as at 16, to the shaft and the other, as at 17, to the ratchet wheel to thereby urge the ratchet Wheel to its initial position as shown in FIG. 1, i.e., against a stop 18. As best seen in FIG. 4, the ratchet wheel is equipped with a part 19 adapted to actuate the switch 11 upon rotation of the ratchet wheel a predetermined distance. The part 19 includes an upstanding portion 20 which will engage the actuating lever 21 of switch 11. Thus, it will be seen that upon sufficient rotation of the ratchet wheel part 19 will engage switch 11 to actuate it.

Means are provided for moving the ratchet from its initial to its switch-engaging position responsive to the deposit of a predetermined number of coins. Such means can include a pawl 22 carried on a slide bar 23 so that upon reciprocation of the slide bar, the pawl will engage successive teeth of the ratchet wheel to advance the same stepwise. The slide bar is reciprocated responsive to an electrical pulse actuating solenoid 24 which retracts the slide bar as shown in FIG. 2. After the solenoid has been deenergized, a spring 25 moves the slide bar back to its original position and in doing so, causes the ratchet wheel to be stepped one position.

A stop is provided to prevent the ratchet wheel from returning to its initial position against stop 18 during movement of the pawl as the slide bar is retracted. As shown here, the stop comprises an upstanding portion 27 carried by main body portion 23. The stop, as well as the carrier, is pivoted to the frame by a common stud 3t and both are urged toward the ratchet wheel by spring 31. Thus, with the carrier as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stop will always be in position to engage one of the ratchet teeth to prevent its return. While the stop can be fixed to the carrier, it is preferred that it pivot relative thereto because during the retraction of the slide bar, there is a tendency for the pawl to push the carrier to the left as illustrated in FIG. 2. This tends to release the stop from the ratchet wheel and in aggravated cases, might release it entirely so that the ratchet wheel could prematurely return to its initial position. By pivoting the stop relative to the carrier, it will remain in full engagement with the ratchet wheel even r as though the carrier may pivot considerably to the left as in FIG. 2.

Meansare provided for'releasing the pawl and the stop fromthe ratchet wheel to permit. the latter to return to its initial position. Such means can include the carrier 29 which, as indicated above, is pivoted by stud 3'3 to the frame so that the carrier can move transversely away from the ratchet wheel. The means can also in: clude a solenoid 32 having its armature 33 connected to the carrier so that upon energization of the solenoid, the carrier will be pivoted to the left as shown in 3 to release the stop and pawl from the ratchet wheel. As will be noted from FIG. 4, the carrier has an upstanding portion 3a which will engage the stop 26 as I the carrier moves to unlatching position to carry the stop with the carrier to assure its release from the ratchet wheel.

As indicated above, it is frequently desirable that an operator be able to change thenumber of coins required to initiate a time cycle. Means are provided in this accumulator for doin this by making the switch actuating part 19 movable among a plurality of positions on the ratchet so that the distance the latter must be advanced to actuate the switch is adjustable and therefore, the number of coins required is likewise adjustable. Thus, as best seen in PEG. 4, a plurality of holes 2-5 are provided about the periphery of the ratchet wheel with the holes preferably spaced the same angular distance apart as the ratchet teeth. It will be noted that part 19 has a depending portion 3% which fits into one of the holes 35. Then by simply pulling up on the upstanding portion 29, the part l) (of spring steel or thelike) can be moved circumferentially among the various holes and at a selected hole, it can be released with portion 36 in a hole to hold part 19 in position. Thus, with the part 19' in position at the hole numbered 1, a single stroke of the pawl will cause the switch 11 to be actuated. However, if part 1% is moved to hole number 5, for example, it will require five strokes of the pawl in order for it to actuate the switch. Therefore, if the pawl is reciprocated once for each coin deposited, five coins will be required to be deposited in order to actuate theswitch.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic wiring diagram illustrating one embodiment of the invention which incorporates the coin accumulator of FIGS.

14.' In this diagram, it will be'noted that switch 11 has normally open and normally closed contacts. The normally open contacts control a circuit comprising wires and 51, the former being the hot wire and the latter being the wire leading to the controlled machine. Thus, it will be seen that upon the ratchet wheel actuating the switch, the normally open contacts will be closed, thereby energizing the machine.

The ratchet wheel is stepped responsive to coins closing coin switch 52 Upon closing of the switch, the circuit to solenoid 24 is energized, causing the solenoid to retract slide bar 23 so that the pawl is moved to en-.

gage a succeeding tooth on the ratchet wheel. As soon.

ratchet wheel permits switch ll. to open its normally open contacts and to close its normally closed contacts. Closure of the latter contacts permits continued operation of the machine since it is energized via switch 55, the normally closed contacts and wire 51. At the end of the cycle, the cam cycle timer will open switch 55, thereby .deenergizing the machine as well as the unlatch solenoid 32, which permits the carrier .to return to its normal position as shown in FlG. 1. At this time, the accumulator is ready for a new cycle of operation.

rom the foregoing, it will be seen that thisinvention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus and structure. 7 1

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed \Vlli']: out reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 7

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

V The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

1. A coin accumulator for use with a timing device for washers, washer-extractors, dry cleaning machines and the like comprising a frame, a switch on the frame, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and biased to an initial'position and having a part engageable with the switch to actuate the same upon predetermined rotation ofthe wheel from said initial position to a switch actuating position, a pawl mounted on the frame for reciprocation with respect to the wheel to advance the same stepwise responsive to reciprocation of the pawl from said initial to said switch actuating position, coin actuated means for reciprocating the pawl responsive to a coin being deposited therein so that the ratchet wheel is stepped for each coin deposited; a stop on the frame engaging the ratchet wheel to prevent its return to its initial position as it is advanced by the pawl, and means for moving both the stop and pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel to permit'it to return to its initial position.

2. The accumulator of claim 1 wherein said part on the ratchet wheel is movable among a plurality of posiof the carrier laterally of the, wheel disengages both the At the same time as the machine is energized, a cam pawl and stop.

4. A coin accumulator for use with a timing device for washers, washer-extractors, dry cleaning machines and the like comprising a frame, a switch, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted onthe frame, means biasing the wheel to an initial position, a part on thewheel engageable with the switch to actuate the same upon the wheel being moved a predetermined number of steps, said part being movable among a plurality of positions to change the number of steps the wheel must move from its initial position to actuate the switch, a carrier mounted on the frame for movement laterally of the wheel, a slide bar reciprocally mounted on the carrier, a pawl on the slide bar engagable with the wheel to cause it to be stepped upon reciprocation of the slide bar, means for reciprocating the slide bar, a stop on the carrier engaging the wheel to prevent itsreturning to its initial position after the pawl has stepped it, and means for moving the carrier and the pawl and stop mounted thereon laterally of the wheel a sufiicient distance to disengage the pawl and stop from the wheel so that the latter can be returned to its initial position by said biasing means.

5. The accumulator of claim 4 wherein said means for reciprocating the slide bar is a solenoid, and a coin-operated switch is connected to the solenoid so that an electrical pulse is sent to the solenoid for each coin actuating the switch whereby the ratchet wheel is stepped for each coin.

6. The accumulator of claim 4 wherein the stop is pivoted to the carrier so that upon retraction of the slide bar to re-engage the pawl with the ratchet wheel, any lateral movement of the carrier will not tend to disengage the stop from the ratchet wheel.

7. A coin accumulator for use with a timing device for washers, washer-extractors, dry cleaning machines and the like comprising a frame, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and biased to an initial position, a switch, a part on the ratchet wheel engageable with the switch upon turning of the ratchet wheel from its initial to a switch actuating position to actuate the switch, said part being movable between a plurality of positions so as to change the distance the wheel must rotate before the switch is actuated, a carried'pivoted to the frame for movement transversely of the ratchet wheel, a pawl mounted for reciprocation on the carrier to engage the ratchet wheel and turn the same stepwise from said initial to said switch actuating position, a stop on the carrier engaging the ratchet wheel to prevent its return as it is advanced by the pawl, means for reciprocating the pawl, and means for moving the carrier and the pawl and stop mounted thereon laterally of the ratchet wheel so as to disengage both the pawl and stop from the ratchet wheel to permit the latter to return to its initial position.

8. A coin-operated timer for controlling a machine such as a washer, a Washer-extractor, a dry cleaning machine and the like comprising switch means connectible in a circuit to control starting and stopping of a machine, a frame, a ratchet mounted on the frame for stepwise movement relative to the switch means and having a part engageable with the switch means to close the circuit to a machine upon predetermined movement of the ratchet from an initial position thereof to a switch actuating position, means including a reciprocal pawl for advancing the ratchet stepwise from said initial to said switch actuating position and for preventing its return to its initial position while it is being stepped, means for disengaging the first mentioned means from the ratchet to permit the ratchets return from said switch actuating position to its initial position, coin-actuated means for reciprocating the pawl responsive to a coin being deposited therein so that the ratchet is stepped toward its switch actuating position for each coin deposited, and time cycle means for actuating the disengaging means after said switch means has closed the circuit to a machine.

9. A coin-operated timer for controlling a machine such as a washer, a washer-extractor, a dry cleaning machine and the like comprising first and second circuits in parallel to each other and each connected to an outlet and each adapted to energize a machine, switch means having first and second contacts for respectively and alternately electrically, connecting said first and second circuits to said outlet, coin-operated means having a part movable from an initial position to a switch actuating position for actuating the switch means to close said first contacts to electrically connect said first circuit to said outlet responsive to the deposit of a predetermined number of coins to thereby energize the machine and to open the second contacts, means for returning said part from its switch actuating position to its initial position to thereby cause the switch means to open said first contacts and to close said second contacts thereby connecting said second circuit to said outlet, a time cycle controlled switch in the second circuit in series with said second contacts and operable to be closed upon a lapse of time after the first contacts of the switch means have been closed by said coin-operated means, and the means in the second circuit for actuating said returning means responsive to closing of the time cycle switch to thereby cause the switch means to open its first contacts and close its second contacts, said time cycle switch being opened a predetermined length of time after said returning means has been actuated to thereby shut ofi the machine.

10. The timer of claim 9 wherein said coin-operated means includes a ratchet having said part thereon engageable with the switch means as aforesaid upon movement of the ratchet though a predtermined distance, said part being movable through a plurality of positions to determine the distance the ratchet must move to actuate the switch means, a pawl reciprocal to step the ratchet, a

solenoid for reciprocating the pawl and a coin-operated switch connected to the solenoid and adapted to send an electrical pulse to the solenoid for each coin deposited so that the ratchet is stepped for each coin.

11. A coin-operated timer apparatus for controlling a machine such as a washer, a washer-extractor, a dry cleaning machine and the like comprising a switch having normally open and normally closed contacts, a ratchet having a part thereon engageable with the switch to cause it to close the normally open contacts and open the normally closed contacts upon the ratchet being advanced a predetermined position from its initial position, a pawlfor moving the ratchet step-wise, coin-operated means connected to the pawl to cause it to advance the ratchet one step for each coin deposited, means including a solenoid for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet so that the latter can return to its initial position to thereby permit the switch to return to its normal position, a timer, a time cycle switch controlled by the timer, and a circuit connecting the time cycle switch to the solenoid and to a terminal for connection to a machine so that upon closing said time cycle switch, the solenoid is actuated to disengage the pawl and current is supplied to continue operation or a machine.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the timer is connected in a circuit with the normally open contacts so that closure of the latter starts the timer and wherein the timer is also connected in the circuit with the timer cycle switch so that closure of the latter causes the timer to continue running until the timer opens the time cycle switch.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said ratchet part is movable among a plurality of positions to change the number of coins which must be deposited to move the ratchet sufiiciently to actuate the switch.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said ratchet part is movable among a plurality of positions to change the number of coins which must be deposited to move the ratchet sufficiently to actuate the switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A COIN ACCUMULATOR FOR USE WITH A TIMING DEVICE FOR WASHERS, WASHER-EXTRACTORS, DRY CLEANING MACHINES AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A FRAME, A SWITCH ON THE FRAME, A RATCHET WHEEL ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON THE FRAME AND BIASED TO AN INITIAL POSITION AND HAVING A PART ENGAGEABLE WITH THE SWITCH TO ACTUATE THE SAME UPON ENGAGEABLE ROTATION OF THE WHEEL FROM SAID INITIAL POSITION TO A SWITCH ACTUATING POSITION, A PAWL MOUNTED ON THE FRAME FOR RECIPROCATION WITH RESPECT TO THE WHEEL TO ADVANCE THE SAME STEPWISE RESPONSIVE TO RECIPROCATION OF THE PAWL FROM SAID INITIAL TO SAID SWITCH ACTUATING POSITION, COIN ACTUATED MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING THE PAWL RESPONSIVE TO A COIN BEING DEPOSITED THEREIN SO THAT THE RATCHET WHEEL IS STEPPED FOR EACH COIN DEPOSITED; A STOP ON THE FRAME ENGAGING THE RATCHET WHEEL TO PREVENT ITS RETURN TO ITS INITIAL POSITION AS IT IS ADVANCED BY THE PAWL, AND MEANS FOR MOVING BOTH THE STOP AND PAWL OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RATCHET WHEEL TO PERMIT IT TO RETURN TO ITS INITIAL POSITION. 